Nearly Half of Young Adult Smokers Call Themselves Social Smokers but Smoke Alone Too
Among young adult smokers, 46% self-identified as social smokers but actually smoked outside of social settings, and this group was more likely to use marijuana and be marijuana-dependent than non-social smokers.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Researchers surveyed 1,811 young adult smokers (ages 18-25) recruited through Facebook to understand social smoking patterns. They found three distinct groups based on self-identification and behavior.
The largest group (46%) called themselves social smokers but actually smoked outside of social contexts too ("self-identified only"). True behavioral social smokers who only smoked in social settings made up 27%, and non-social smokers accounted for the remaining 27%.
Both social smoker groups were more likely to be male, use marijuana, and be marijuana-dependent compared to non-social smokers. True behavioral social smokers smoked less, were less addicted to cigarettes, and had higher desire to quit.
Key Numbers
1,811 participants; 46% self-identified only social smokers; 27% behavioral social smokers; 27% non-social smokers; social smoker groups more likely to be male, use marijuana, and have marijuana dependence
How They Did This
Cross-sectional online survey of 1,811 young adults (18-25) who smoked at least one cigarette in the past 30 days, recruited through Facebook ads. Three social smoking categorization items determined group membership.
Why This Research Matters
The disconnect between self-identified and actual social smoking suggests many young adults underestimate their smoking patterns. The strong association with marijuana use in social smoker groups points to overlapping substance use cultures among young adults.
The Bigger Picture
Social smoking identity may serve as a form of cognitive distancing that allows young adults to maintain smoking while not seeing themselves as "real" smokers. The co-occurrence with marijuana use suggests interventions may need to address both substances.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Facebook recruitment introduces selection bias. Self-reported data on both smoking and marijuana use. Cross-sectional design cannot establish causal relationships. The "social smoker" classification relied on only three items.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do self-identified social smokers eventually become daily smokers at higher rates?
- ?Does the marijuana-social smoking connection reflect shared social contexts or shared individual risk factors?
- ?Would targeted interventions for social smokers reduce long-term nicotine addiction?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 46% of young smokers self-identified as social smokers but smoked outside social settings
- Evidence Grade:
- Large sample recruited through Facebook, but cross-sectional design and self-reported data limit conclusions about causation.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2015. Social media use patterns, vaping, and cannabis legalization have significantly changed the landscape for young adult substance use.
- Original Title:
- Prevalence and Correlates of Social Smoking in Young Adults: Comparisons of Behavioral and Self-Identified Definitions.
- Published In:
- Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, 17(9), 1076-84 (2015)
- Authors:
- Lisha, Nadra E(2), Delucchi, Kevin L(6), Ling, Pamela M(12), Ramo, Danielle E
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01000
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why are social smokers more likely to use marijuana?
The study found an association but did not determine why. Possible explanations include shared social contexts where both substances are used, or shared personality traits like openness to substance experimentation.
Is social smoking less harmful than daily smoking?
True behavioral social smokers smoked less and were less nicotine-dependent, but the large "self-identified only" group smoked more than they acknowledged. Any level of smoking carries health risks.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01000APA
Lisha, Nadra E; Delucchi, Kevin L; Ling, Pamela M; Ramo, Danielle E. (2015). Prevalence and Correlates of Social Smoking in Young Adults: Comparisons of Behavioral and Self-Identified Definitions.. Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, 17(9), 1076-84. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntu242
MLA
Lisha, Nadra E, et al. "Prevalence and Correlates of Social Smoking in Young Adults: Comparisons of Behavioral and Self-Identified Definitions.." Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntu242
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Prevalence and Correlates of Social Smoking in Young Adults:..." RTHC-01000. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/lisha-2015-prevalence-and-correlates-of
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.